Euthanasia The Ethical Question

Lily's grandmother is battling a severe disease and is in constant agony. Benjamin and Noah are debating a contentious method that could potentially alleviate her pain. What is this method referred to as?

• The practice of compassionately ending a person's life to free them from suffering

• Supplying a gravely ill person with the means to terminate their life

• Any treatment used to maintain a patient's life while critically ill or injured

• Providing care for the terminally ill in a hospice

Answer explanation

The question asks about a controversial practice that could end the suffering of Lily's grandmother who is terminally ill. The correct answer is 'The practice of mercifully ending a person's life to release them from suffering', which refers to euthanasia. It involves deliberately ending a person's life to relieve pain and suffering. The other options do not directly address the scenario described in the question.

Imagine you are a doctor named Maya. Your patient, William, who is suffering from a terminal illness, asks you to help him end his life. If you agree to his request, what type of euthanasia are you considering?

• Voluntary Euthanasia

• Involuntary Euthanasia

• Compulsory Euthanasia

• Passive Euthanasia

Answer explanation

Voluntary euthanasia involves ending a person's life at their explicit request, usually due to terminal illness or extreme suffering, which fits the situation described in the question. Here, William is asking for his life to be ended, making it a case of voluntary euthanasia.

Imagine you are watching a TV show with your friends, Henry, Maya, and Aiden. In the show, a character is critically ill and connected to a life support machine. This sparks a discussion among you about the purpose of these machines. In your opinion, what is the primary function of life support machines?

• To sustain a patient's life while critically ill or injured

• To provide comfort and care for the terminally ill

• To assist in the process of euthanasia

• To prevent pain and suffering in dying patients

Answer explanation

Life support machines, as the correct option indicates, are primarily used to sustain a patient's life when they are critically ill or injured. They maintain vital functions like breathing and blood circulation, allowing the body to heal. The other options do not accurately describe the principal purpose of life support machines.

David, Luna, and Avery are having a discussion about ethical issues in their medical ethics class. They are debating about the ethical implications of euthanasia in the context of religious beliefs. Avery, who is arguing against euthanasia from a biblical perspective, needs to quote a verse to support his argument. Which verse should he quote?

• Genesis 1:26-27

• Psalm 139:13

• Jeremiah 1:5

• I Corinthians 3:16-17

Answer explanation

I Corinthians 3:16-17 is the most appropriate biblical verse that Avery can quote to oppose euthanasia. This verse emphasizes that our bodies are temples of God and should be treated with reverence and care. It implies that ending a life prematurely through euthanasia could be seen as defiling God's temple, contradicting the sanctity of life principle in Christianity.

Benjamin's grandmother has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. He came across the term 'Hospice Movement' while researching about her condition. Can you explain what it is?

• An organization that provides care for people who are terminally ill

• A therapy method Benjamin found online that claims to prolong the life of a patient

• A type of euthanasia that Benjamin's friend Abigail mentioned

• A religious teaching that Benjamin read about, which opposes euthanasia

Answer explanation

The Hospice Movement is an organization that provides care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. They focus on making the patient as comfortable as possible, rather than seeking a cure for their illness. Option 'A therapy used by David to sustain a patient's life', 'A type of euthanasia Abigail read about', and 'A biblical teaching opposing euthanasia' are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the Hospice Movement.

David, Michael, and Oliver are having a deep conversation about medical ethics while watching a medical drama on TV. In one of the episodes, a doctor performs a procedure to end a patient's life without the patient being aware of it. What type of euthanasia is depicted in the episode?

• Voluntary Euthanasia

• Involuntary Euthanasia

• Compulsory Euthanasia

• Passive Euthanasia

Answer explanation

The question discusses a scenario where euthanasia is performed without the dying person's knowledge. This aligns with the definition of Involuntary Euthanasia, which involves ending a person's life without their consent. Hence, 'Involuntary Euthanasia' is the correct answer choice.

Arjun, Aria, and Hannah are having a heated debate about the principles of the Roman Catholic Church during their lunch break at work. The conversation steers towards the topic of prematurely ending one's life before it's naturally time according to God's plan. What is the stance of the Roman Catholic Church on this matter?

• It is acceptable under certain circumstances

• It is the individual's personal choice

• It is against the laws of nature and God

• It is the duty of medical professionals

Answer explanation

The Roman Catholic Church believes that the interruption of the journey of life should only take place when God calls. This is highlighted in the correct answer choice, which states that doing otherwise is against the laws of nature and God. Other options indicating it is acceptable in certain situations, a right of the individual, or the responsibility of doctors, are not in line with this teaching.

Abigail's grandmother, who is quite old, is battling a severe, long-term illness. The family is contemplating a specific form of euthanasia due to her deteriorating health. Can you identify the type of euthanasia they might be considering?

• Voluntary Euthanasia

• Involuntary Euthanasia

• Compulsory Euthanasia

• Passive Euthanasia

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Compulsory Euthanasia. The question mentions that the family is considering a type of euthanasia due to Abigail's grandmother's chronic illness and age. This suggests they are contemplating a scenario where the decision is made by the family, not the patient, hence corresponding to Compulsory Euthanasia.

Lily, Kai, and Maya were having a coffee discussion about the control over life and death in a medical context. They were trying to understand who has the ultimate control over life and death according to medical ethics. What conclusion did they reach?

• Only doctors have the control

• Only the individual has the control

• Only God has the control

• Life and death are random occurrences

Answer explanation

According to biblical teachings, which the question references, it is believed that only God has control over life and death. This belief is reflected in various scriptures and religious narrations. Therefore, the correct conclusion Lily, Kai, and Maya would reach is that 'Only God has the control'.

Imagine you are in a debate with Henry, Samuel, and Noah about the purpose of the Hospice Movement. Henry argues that its main purpose is to provide state-of-the-art comfort for those who are terminally ill. How would you respond to Henry's argument?

• Agree with Henry that it's to provide state-of-the-art comfort for the terminally ill

• Argue that it's to perform euthanasia

• Contend that it's to prolong the life of the terminally ill

• Assert that it's to prevent pain and suffering in dying patients

Answer explanation

The purpose of the Hospice Movement, as discussed by Henry, Samuel, and Noah, is indeed to provide state-of-the-art comfort for the terminally ill. This is reflected in the correct option, aligning with Henry's belief. The movement's focus is not on euthanasia or life prolongation but on delivering advanced comfort measures.